At this moment, in Wanyan Zonghan's camp, Wanyan Zonghan's face was as long as a bitter gourd.
"That scoundrel Wanyan Chang is clearly trying to make trouble for me!"
Wanyan Xiyin glanced at the letter and said, "Marshal, Wanyan Chang is not a capable strategist! We should immediately send troops to fight Zhao Huan to the death, lest things get complicated!"
Wanyan Zonghan asked, "How is the Song army doing lately?"
"Marshal, according to our scouts, the Song army has been extremely rampant lately, and everyone says they will surely defeat our army!"
"Hmph! Zhao Huan is too arrogant. Even when we attacked Liao, Song was not this rampant. Now that we have won a battle, he has his nose in the sky!"
Wanyan Xiyin laughed and said, "Marshal, please calm down. I have already sent people to investigate. Zhao Huan has been drinking and making merry every day these days. When the superior is pleased, the subordinates will be even more pleased! One day, the Song soldiers were drinking until late at night. Dozens of them got into a fight because they were arguing about who had killed more enemies. These people were subordinates of Yao Pingzhong and the newly promoted Marquis of Yongwu, Han Shizhong. After the incident, Yao Pingzhong led his men to challenge Han Shizhong. The two sides fought, but Zhong Shidao managed to suppress the fight."
"How did that brat Zhao Huan get away with it?"
"Zhao Huan didn't say anything. He's currently relying on these commanders to fight for him, and he wouldn't dare touch any of them before the battle!"
Wanyan Zonghan frowned in thought. He was a famous general of the Jin Dynasty who had never been defeated in his life. He was the commander-in-chief in this attack on the Song Dynasty and was highly valued by Wanyan Gao. He naturally noticed the changes in the Song army.
Wanyan Xiyin said, "Marshal, our army will surely win this attack on the Song army!"
"What do you mean, sir?"
"The Marshal's letter did have an effect. Zhao Huan won several battles and became arrogant and conceited, completely disregarding our army!"
Wanyan Zonghan remained silent, seemingly lost in thought.
"Marshal, do you remember the Yongxi Northern Expedition? Back then, when the Song Dynasty fought against the Liao Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin personally led the expedition. The Song army swept through the country, and the Liao army was defeated one after another. However, this was all because the Song army was arrogant and complacent, and underestimated the Liao Dynasty. Even Cao Bin, a famous general who helped found the Song Dynasty, suffered a complete collapse, and his own son was killed in battle! Our army was many times stronger than the weak Liao Dynasty. Even if Zhao Huan had gone all out, he would not have been a match for our army. Moreover, arrogance and complacency have now spread among the Song army!"
Wanyan Xiyin understood perfectly well that this marshal was not afraid to fight Zhao Huan to the death. As the saying goes, in ancient times, when military strategists fought, they would lose eight hundred of their own for every thousand enemy killed. At present, the Song army was in high spirits, and Wanyan Zonghan was afraid that even if he defeated Zhao Huan, he would suffer heavy losses. At that time, in the struggle in the court, the marshal's voice would inevitably be weakened.
The time has come. The Song army is arrogant and complacent, the emperor is conceited and arrogant. After winning a few battles, they indulge in nightly revelry. The soldiers are neglected and the generals are at odds. These are signs of a defeated army!
Wanyan Zonghan nodded. Wasn't the reason he had written so many letters just to wait for this opportunity?
"Summon all generals and commanders to my camp to revisit the grand plan to destroy the Song Dynasty!"
This time, Wanyan Zonghan used "destroy the Song" instead of "defeat the Song," which shows his ambition.
The next day, Sima Junru urgently reported: "Your Majesty, the Jin invaders have abandoned Taiyuan City and mobilized their three armies, heading towards our army!"
At this moment, the commanders of the Song army's central army were all in the emperor's tent. Upon hearing this military news, their expressions changed.
"That dog Wanyan Zonghan has finally made a move! Your Majesty, I am willing to be the vanguard and catch Wanyan Zonghan off guard!"
The one who volunteered for battle was none other than Yao Pingzhong. This guy always volunteered for battle to Zhao Huan. Zhao Huan couldn't understand why this guy liked to be the first to step forward. However, this was also what Zhao Huan wanted. Without a general who took the lead, how could the other generals be motivated?
Zhao Huan turned his attention to Zhong Shidao, who was the Pacification Commissioner and the supreme commander of the three armies. Zhao Huan could not issue orders arbitrarily. He had to respect Zhong Shidao. In the words of later generations, he had to respect professionals and give them ample room to perform.
Master Zhong said, "Yao Xiyan, obey my command!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"I hereby order you to lead 10,000 troops as the vanguard to thwart the Jin invaders!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
"Yao Gu, heed my command!"
"Your subordinate is here. I hereby order you to lead 10,000 troops to the left flank to prevent the Jin invaders from launching a surprise attack on our left flank!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
"Zhang Hao, obey my command!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"I hereby order you to lead 10,000 troops to protect the right flank of the central army!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
"Zhang Sizheng, listen to my command!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"The Jin invaders have many cavalry. I order you to stay behind and guard the rear. You must keep a close watch on the rear to prevent the Jin invaders from bypassing and attacking our rear!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Zhong Shidao assigned responsibilities to each general, and the generals went down to muster their troops, and the Song army camp quickly became active.
"I beg Your Majesty to remain in Liaozhou and await my great victory!"
"Our soldiers are fighting valiantly on the front lines, how can I rest easy? Of course, I must personally drive out the Jurchen invaders!"
Zhong Shidao knew he couldn't persuade the emperor, so he said no more: "This old minister is willing to die to protect the emperor!"
"You flatter me, Zhong Qing."
After Zhong Shidao left, only Zhao Huan, Sima Junru, and Liu Yanzong remained in the tent.
"Damn it, I'm so drunk these past few days I'm about to throw up!"
Sima Junru smiled bitterly to herself. This emperor had really gone to great lengths to lull Wanyan Zonghan into a false sense of security!
Liu Yanzong, standing to the side, flattered, "In ancient times, Zhou Yu could reduce enemy ships to ashes with a laugh; now, Your Majesty, as you drink, the Jin invaders will be reduced to dust!"
Zhao Huan laughed and said, "Minister Liu, you are the most cunning of all!"
Liu Yanzong grinned smugly: "The Holy Emperor's radiance shines upon all, and I have also been blessed by the Emperor's might. Indeed, the Emperor's wisdom is as vast as the sky and as bright as the sun and moon!"
Sima Junru, who was standing to the side, almost vomited when she heard this. Didn't Liu Yanzong have any shame in flattering her?
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